Frost Dates for Tazewell, TN 37879
Last spring frost April 21 · First fall frost October 17 · 179 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 37879 has about 11,900 people.
Moderate season: 179 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 7–May 6 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–November 2 (32 days).
Frost probability for 37879
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 6 | April 21 | April 7 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 17 | November 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BAXTER (43.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 179-day season in Tazewell
In Tazewell (179 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 17 | May 5–May 12 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 5. | Jun 17 |
| Pepper | Mar 10 | May 5–May 12 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 5. | Jun 22 |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 31. | Aug 15 |
| Cucumber | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Beans | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Peas | — | Feb 24–May 5 | 242 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 242 available after Feb 24. | Aug 6 |
| Zucchini | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Onion | Jan 27 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 214 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 24–Apr 14 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 24. | Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 24. | Aug 15 |
| Radish | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24. | Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 17 | 284 | overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer. | Nov 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 17–May 12 | 235 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 17; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 28. | Jun 29 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 7 | May 5–May 5 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 5. | Jun 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 14. | Jul 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 7 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 24. | Jul 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 5. | Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 5. | Jun 27 |
| Okra | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Basil | Mar 17 | May 12–May 12 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 24–Apr 14 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Parsley | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 28. | Aug 1 |
| Celery | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 12 | 179 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 28. | Jun 12 |
| Scallions | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Collards | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 5. | Jun 12 |
| Chives | Jan 27 | Apr 28–May 5 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Oregano | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 27 | Apr 28–May 5 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Sage | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Cosmos | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Lavender | Jan 27 | Apr 21–May 5 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 10 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Melons | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 5. | Jun 12 |
| Mint | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 158 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 28. | Jul 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after May 5. | Jun 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 21. | Jul 11 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 28. | Jun 22 |
| Watermelon | Apr 7 | Apr 28–May 5 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 28. | Jun 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Zinnias | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
Month by month in Tazewell
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 27), Lavender (Jan 27), Onion (Jan 27), Rosemary (Jan 27). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 10), Collards (Feb 10), Kale (Feb 10), Oregano (Feb 10), Parsley (Feb 10), Scallions (Feb 10), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 24), Beets (Feb 24), Dill (Feb 24), Peas (Feb 24), Radish (Feb 24), Spinach (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 3), Calendula (Mar 10), Cauliflower (Mar 10), Marigolds (Mar 10), Pepper (Mar 10), Basil (Mar 17), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 10), Cilantro (Mar 24), Turnip (Mar 24), Carrots (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 24), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 24), Cabbage (Mar 24), Collards (Mar 24), Kale (Mar 24), Lettuce (Mar 24), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 17). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 7), Cantaloupe (Apr 7), Melons (Apr 7), Pumpkin (Apr 7), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 7), Watermelon (Apr 7), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 7), Sunflowers (Apr 21), Beans (Apr 28), Pole Beans (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 7), Swiss Chard (Apr 7), Bok Choy (Apr 14), Cauliflower (Apr 14), Cosmos (Apr 21), Lavender (Apr 21), +15 more. Last frost around April 21. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 5), Cantaloupe (May 5), Cucumber (May 5), Eggplant (May 5), Melons (May 5), Pepper (May 5), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Pumpkin (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 12), Celery (Jun 12), Melons (Jun 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 14), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 16), Pole Beans (Jul 16), Basil (Jul 21), Cosmos (Jul 21), Cucumber (Jul 21), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Aug 1), Peas (Aug 6), Cabbage (Aug 15), Carrots (Aug 15), Beets (Aug 16), Dill (Aug 16), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 4), Arugula (Sep 14), Spinach (Sep 14), Radish (Sep 15). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 17). First frost around October 17. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 7). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Tazewell, TN (ZIP 37879)?
The median last spring frost date for Tazewell, TN (ZIP code 37879) is around April 21. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 7; one in ten it runs past May 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Tazewell, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Tazewell, TN is around October 17. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Tazewell, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Tazewell is about 179 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Tazewell (179 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Tazewell, TN?
Tazewell, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Tazewell, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 17 and plant out May 5 in Tazewell. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Tazewell?
Two: plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.
When do I plant garlic in Tazewell?
Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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